How much footage do I have?

You can work this out based on the size of the reel.
There are three main sizes:

Enter your reels as best as you can. We understand that sometimes reels are not ‘standard’ sizes, or are not full.

In this case, go with the nearest size to give us an idea of the quantity you’re sending, then enter your estimate of the total footage in the ‘feet’ field at the bottom of the table.

This gets a more accurate price for you. We’ll check your footage on arrival and let you know if we need to adjust your order-form. Don’t worry if you over-estimate – we’ll refund you!

HD or 4K Transfer: Which One is Right for You?

When deciding between HD and 4K transfers, consider your TV and how you plan to view your films. If you have a 4K TV, a 4K transfer is ideal, as it offers the highest possible detail. Most 4K TVs upscale HD content to 4K, but the quality of this upscaling can vary. Our 4K scan captures each frame of your film with a high-resolution lens, ensuring a true 4K image. And as an extra bonus, we include a free HD version for easy viewing on any non-4K screens.

If you typically watch on smaller screens like a TV under 40 inches, a tablet, or a smartphone the HD transfer is a good option. It provides excellent clarity and is perfectly suited for these devices.

Which file format is right for you?

For most users, MPEG-4 is the ideal choice. It is widely compatible with nearly all devices, including TVs, smartphones, tablets, and platforms like YouTube, making it a versatile and convenient option.

If you’re a video editor, ProRes is recommended. This master format captures extra details, perfect for professionals who plan to fine-tune before exporting to a viewer-friendly format like MPEG.

Both the MPEG-4 and ProRes options come with full AI remastering.

For those seeking the purest capture, our Non-AI Raw Scan can be added to any order. This format provides direct output from our scanner with full overscan, revealing film edges and sprocket holes for an authentic archival look. It’s also a smart choice for future-proofing, allowing easy application of the latest AI remastering technology later without the need to re-scan. (The non-AI Raw option is supplied in ProRes format).

Our Non-AI HD scan comes in a resolution of 2048×1552, while the 4K scan offers a crisp 4096×3112 resolution.

USB Stick or Hard Drive?

Choosing between a USB stick and a portable hard drive depends on your storage needs and how you plan to watch your transferred films. A USB stick is a compact option, ideal for direct use with TVs, iPads, and other devices, especially with dual USB-C and USB-A connections for flexibility. The USB stick also comes in a handy gift box.

On the other hand, a portable hard drive can offer greater storage capacity and, in some cases, faster transfer speeds, making it a good choice for video editing.

If you opt for MPEG & ProRes, we can put all your files onto one device, or split them; it works well to have the MPEG files on a stick and the ProRes on a hard-drive, but it’s up to you. Just ensure you choose a device(s) big enough to hold all your files.

You’re also welcome to send in your own USB stick or hard drive—just make sure it’s USB 3.0 or above.

Does your film have sound?

Wondering if your film has sound? It’s easy to check! Look along the edge of your film strip. If you see a solid brown or squiggly line running alongside the frames, you have sound! Here’s a quick breakdown:

• 16mm Films: Typically have sound if there’s a magnetic or optical strip running alongside the film frames. Optical soundtracks look like a dark line, while magnetic tracks are often brown or reddish.

• 9.5mm: We can only transfer optical soundtrack from 9.5mm. It’s very unusual to have sound on 9.5mm film, it appears as a dark or squiggly line running down the edge of the film.

• Super 8 and Regular 8mm Films: Some have sound, usually indicated by a thin, brownish stripe along the film edge. Not all 8mm films include sound, so if you don’t see this stripe, it’s likely silent.

If you’re still not sure, don’t worry! Send in your film, and we’ll check for sound during the transfer process.

35mm Slides

We have a separate order form for 35mm slides, but you’re welcome to add them here if you’re sending them along with your films. Your slides will be returned on your USB stick or hard drive but will not be uploaded to Alive Cloud.

For 100 photos, we recommend around 2GB of storage.

7 Day Express

If you need your films quickly, our Express Service is available. We aim for a 7-day turnaround from receipt and often complete jobs within just a few days. This service includes a 30% surcharge, as we dedicate staff to work nights and weekends to ensure the fastest possible delivery.